Review by Booklist Review
In a lovely slice-of-life story, a boy's nonverbal experience is highlighted--and celebrated--as he and his mother spend a typical day together. The boy is autistic, and for him this means he doesn't verbalize orally; instead, he communicates through a tablet, which relays his selected pictures and words. The story is written from the boy's first-person perspective, however--a clever choice in that it gives readers a direct look into his mind and reinforces the book's crucial statement that nonverbal people have as many words and as much intelligence as anyone else. Cosgrove's art, throughout, does an amazing job of transporting readers into his perspective, employing various color tones, metaphoric images, and "camera" angles to reflect the deep expressiveness contained in every page. And this isn't just a stock story about autistic kids; this is a story about one autistic kid, so Hammond makes sure to emphasize his uniqueness, detailing his particular sensory aversions and delights. The challenges are present, as well, with the story illustrating the isolation of not being seen or heard, of being misunderstood or discounted because of a disability. In one particularly affecting scene, the mom fiercely advocates for her son against some rude, ignorant park-goers. But through this book, neurotypicals' eyes will be opened, and everyone in autistic families will feel seen--and heard.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--2--Autistic activist and author Hammond's 2023 bestselling mother-and-son story gets a lyrical aural adaptation a year later, its quotidian rhythms ideally captured by Santana's softly affecting performance. The autistic boy doesn't speak, but the use of a tablet ensures he's heard. At the park, an ignorant mother notices the child and "sneers, 'That boy is handicapped.'" Mama demands the adults (and their kids) listen: "My son does not speak, but his ears work just fine./ The words that you say go straight to his mind." On their walk home with smiles restored, the pair stop to enjoy toothsome snacks. Hammond writes in her author's note how sharing a day with the boy as experienced from his first-person POV "gives us a better understanding of his challenges as a nonspeaking individual in a world that prioritizes speech." VERDICT The boy in this book may not speak, but gifted Santana ensures audiences hear every resonating thought.
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